Recent advances in process development for opiate-derived pharmaceutical agents

Abstract

This short review summarizes our work on the process development for the synthesis of buprenorphine, naltrexone, naloxone, and nalbuphine from naturally occurring opiates such as thebaine and oripavine. Several new methods for N-demethylation of morphinans have been developed during the pursuit of this research. The article traces the evolution of various approaches and provides a comparison for overall efficiency.